And the Scammers and Spammers Never Stop!

If this tips sounds like something you’ve heard before, it is. And that’s a sad state of affairs, because that means it’s still a hot topic.

The Internet and phone scam trolls are STILL at it, now more than ever. The warning about not clicking through on an email you get from someone you don’t know, or even a big company like Microsoft or Gmail or PayPal still holds true. Or, from your bank or credit card company … if the email tells you you’ve been locked out of your account or you need to update your security information and need to click on a link to reset or change your info, DON’T CLICK THAT LINK!

If you get an email from UPS or the Post Office telling you they’ve attached your invoice or the information you need or requested is in the attachment, DON’T OPEN THAT ATTACHMENT!If you don’t know what it is … don’t click, don’t open, and don’t respond.

Reputable companies will never ask you to update information by clicking on a link. They will tell you to visit their website. You can often tell the legitimacy of the email by letting your mouse hover over the “from” address. If it’s a hoax it will have a wonky email address. Even if you think it might be legit … just visit the website the way you normally would and do whatever you need to do that way.

PayPal will never have you click on a link to update your important information.

Microsoft will never call you to let you know your computer has a virus or is downloading dangerous content and ask you to give them access to your computer. (Hint: they can’t see what your computer is doing until you let them in anyway).

The IRS will never make threatening phone calls because you haven’t paid your taxes.

They are all hoaxes and scams and just not true!

This doesn’t apply to email only, but social media as well. I’m not referring to the many scammy, spammy invitations we ladies get from men in uniform or dressed like a doctor, holding a puppy or with a child … almost always from somewhere in the middle east, with a college degree from the UK, and currently living in the US (Scam! Spam! Delete and report!) What I’m specifically referring to, is a resurgence of a very common Facebook scam appearing in the Messenger inbox of so many people right now. I’ve had to delete the same message sent to me by at least 4 or 5 of my friends. It’s the one that says “Terry, is this you?” and then has a video for you to open.

Do NOT, I repeat do NOT click through and open the video. If you do, you will be sending the same message to your contact list. That in itself is annoying as heck. However, doing so, will also open the door to hackers and viruses. You don’t want that!

So my tip to you … for this week and anytime in the future, is to be careful. Don’t click on strange links or attachments in an email. Don’t fall for the many different social media or phone scams. When in doubt. Leave it alone and contact the company directly.

In business since 1991, Terry Green is the founder/CEO/President of BizEase Support Solutions, an American-based, online marketing support company comprised of a team of talented professionals from around North America. BizEase excels at providing speakers and business coaches worldwide with seamless online marketing solutions, from setting up shopping carts and editing video, to writing blog posts and managing Social Media and PR campaigns. BizEase clients (who span five continents) take great joy in allowing the BizEase team to take care of the details so they can get back to doing what they do best! Click here to get our weekly tips ezine delivered to your inbox every Friday, with tips on plugins, apps, and tools to make you more productive today!

Comments

Oh, yes. So timely. One of my friend’s just got a phone call from her supposed “nephew”. She said it sounded just like him and he was in dire need. But he didn’t say his name, she did. So, they come from all over, Terry.

I’ve also received texts that say they would like to know if I can do a website for them, but they are hearing impaired. It’s all a scam.

I know … it’s just ridiculous. I totally forgot about the FB messages or phone calls from people saying they are friends or family and stuck somewhere overseas. If we will all simply use caution in cases like these, we’ll be OK. Scams are rampant!

The rule I go by is to click the “from” line and look at the email address vs the name of where they say they are from. I’m skeptical of every attachment and most links. Trust but verify first is my rule even from people I know. I’ll text and ask if they sent an attachment. I know that sounds extreme, but it’s kept my computer safe and my information safe. I also invest in updating software that checks the validity of the content that comes to me.

Absolutely Stephanie! That’s the best way to approach things nowadays. You’re not being extreme at all. I’ve learned never to open attachments from friends and other people I know, unless I am expecting them. I’ve checked back to see if it was really them sending it too. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.

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